Green Grass and High Tides : Lone Star Times

Green Grass and High Tides

by hamous · 07/11/2008 10:19 am

Growing up in Florida during the ’70s, The Outlaws were one of the biggest bands in the Southern Rock genre. This song was one of the quintessential Southern Rock anthems. While never as popular nationally as Florida’s other Southern Rock band, they were always one of my favorites. And I never get tired of this song.

I don’t know how I missed it but Hughie Thomasson of The Outlaws died from a heart attack on September 9, 2007 at his home in Brooksville, Florida at the age of 55. RIP Hughie. You probably don’t have a clue how many of us Southern boys dreamed to be able to play guitar like you.

Part One

Part Two (it is an anthem, after all)

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Comments

78 Responses to “Green Grass and High Tides”

Maltboy! on July 11th, 2008 at 10:38 am

He could definitely throw down.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am

Hughie was a little high-strung. I’m not surprised that is how he went out. I saw them at Rockafellers (man, I miss that place) sometime in the 80s. Some guy on the balcony said something he took offense to and I thought he was gonna climb the wall and kick the guy’s ass.

As to the delay getting this thread up today, I had a list of three videos I was going to use. All three had embedding disabled. I hope that’s not a trend with youtube.
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 11:16 am

Watch that hand there, Dale.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 11:28 am

#3 Heh. That’s funny. I bet they didn’t have a clue. That reminded me of another Brewer and Shipley song (set to a very strange video).
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

Dedicated to AW:

YouTube - Tom Russell-Who’s Gonna Build Your Wall
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Any Tom Waits fans out there?

YouTube - Tom Waits - Lie To Me
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

This one is for Phil Gramm. In case you didn’t know, the songwriter/singer James McMurtry is the son of novelist/screenwriter Larry McMurtry, best known for Lonesome Dove but he is a prolific writer, ranging from Paul Newman’s Hud to Brokeback Mountain.

YouTube - We Can’t Make It Here Anymore - by James Mcmurtry
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

One of my favorite Tom Waits songs, performed by the Eagles.
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Wow, I didn’t realize Waits wrote that! One of the first songs I learned to play.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

I always preferred Eagles with Bernie Leadon over the Joe Walsh era.
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

Me too. My brother in law wrote a song that they recorded but never released.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

And one from Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

And this one is for Liz:

YouTube - Cheney’s Toy by James Mcmurtry
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

10
Not saying anything derogatory about the pre-Walsh era. However I think ithis addition was a timely improvement.

They were pretty “country sweet”, and needed a jolt.

JMHO
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

#14 Oh yeah?
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

15
Like I said….

:>)
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Speaking of Eagles… I am considering attending their September Houston appearance at Toyota.

I saw a TV advertisement stating that American Express card holders get a jump on the general public buying tickets starting Monday.

I missed the website given on the ad and haven’t been able to find it.

Any suggestions??
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

17
Nevermind.
Go directly to Toyota website.
Imagine that.
emmekelley on July 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

You can tell I am in a really strange mood. Here is my first mood pick…………..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIyv4drrgeo&feature=related
Katfish on July 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

#4 - Dang the chain remains! Yours (the intro) reminded me of THIS ONE
emmekelley on July 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Now for my second …………………..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ham6vFy8v2I&feature=related
emmekelley on July 11th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

my third pick………………..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNzEQ8hG1zA
emmekelley on July 11th, 2008 at 1:39 pm

I feel like I am in a time warp of the 70’s and 80’s…..
I bring it home to my mom and dads neighbor with George……………….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aqZV463Yis
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

Hey, Janeane.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

Back in my trucking days it was not unusual to hear this emanating from the cab.

Yard bosses always knew when I was coming or going because this was my entrance and exit theme.

Anyway, as a rule I never picked up hitchhikers, lot lizards or strays. I enjoyed the quiet and solitude of my humble little world. One afternoon I quickly learned why I never broke that rule. The one and only time that I decided to be nice and give a hitchhiker a 90 minute ride between Beaumont and Houston was nothing but pure EAR ACHE. The fellow was a nice enough chap. But dang it he wanted to talk my ear off about nothing interesting or that I was interested in. The radio was on 740am that I listened to, between the Garden Line guys of the time John Burrow and Bill Zack, for the local traffic reports. This guy asked if I mind listening to a tape he had. Sure why not was my answer. He assured me that it was music. Maybe he would shut up was my thought. Well lemme tell you, as soon as this escaped from my speakers he was thrown out of my truck at the next exit.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 2:31 pm

I can no longer listen to that first song without being drawn to the sound of that freaking cowbell!
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

But dang it he wanted to talk my ear off about nothing interesting or that I was interested in.

Was he on his way to work at a cheese factory?
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Hammie
I quit listening to that song when i figured out what they were singing about.
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

27
LOL
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Strangely enough, I never knew what they were singing about until I just went and read the lyrics. Pretty morbid. I have a couple of old BOC albums but not that one. And that reminds me of this.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

hamous
Really morbid.

LOL and that was the “our song” of me and and an ol’ gal pal.

“Oh honey they are playing our song”

Yeah right let’s go commit suicide. You go first.
Katfish on July 11th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

There just aint no substitute for Carlos Santana!

SAMBA PA TI
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 3:19 pm

re: #32 And THAT was “our song”. Wonder what ol’ Linda is up to?

/probably about 200
Katfish on July 11th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

And if ya like Carlos………here’s some ICING on that cake!
sargevining on July 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

And IIRC, there’s nothing by the Outlaws on that useless 100 top guitar songs list from Rolling Stone.

But I’ll disagree with Green Gras as the Outlaws tune that should be posted.

ThIs one is the better one from the Outlaws:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFjqlx8eSfQ

I bet even Big Iron likes it.
emmekelley on July 11th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

I love this Carlos pick.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

#35 Another good one.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

Here’s the only surviving guitarist from The Outlaws, Henry Paul. Third guitarist Billy Jones killed himself back in the ’90s.
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

What the hey.

Mr Cool with some background music,/a>
emmekelley on July 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I had the biggest crush on this lead singer he looked just like an old boyfriend of mine back in the 70’s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgCRLTmgGX4&feature=related
Katfish on July 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

#36 - YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHAW!

Lovvvvvvvvvvve to do that one at Karaoke!
Al Williams on July 11th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

we had The Outlaws on our stage at Cardi’s back in ‘86. That was a great show!

here, check these guys out: It’s a local band called Straightfork.
Al Williams on July 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

damn.
try 2:

Straightfork

Link didn’t work so I picked one for you. LST Moderator NS, NBJ, NSh
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 4:14 pm

Al, I was at that show. Another show I remember from Cardi’s was probably early ’80s, I saw Roger McGuinn playing solo.
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 4:38 pm

I’m in a lefty mood today. Another from Tom Russell:

YouTube - Tom Russell Stealing Electricity
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

Russell is one of those “storytellers” I never cared much for. I did see him once with Barrence Whitfield at Rockafellers. I thought that was a pretty strange pairing.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

Muhwahahahaha
Here is one from my dope smoking, long haired, flea bitten, maggot infested, black headband wearing, antiwar, hippie days.

Dayumm I have come a long way if I may say so myself. BTW for you youngsters out there they are singing about the 1968 Democratic National Convention riots in Chicago. The crowd noise is from those riots.
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Well, sheesh. If you want faves from lefty days,
here ya go. I gots LOTS of those.

Four Dad in Ohio

The youngsters can do their own research.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Don’t make me pull out my Jefferson Airplane stash.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

How ’bout this one?
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

I promise, no Joan Baez.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Even during my tour in the military I was ate up with it.

Thanks for the No Joan Baez.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

I always liked this Country Joe song.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 5:33 pm

Holy Crap I can feel my eyes turning red thinking about them days.

/snarc on

Here is a real song of hope from the days. No wonder I gave that crap up.

/snarc off
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

I still like that Manassas song. Got that album on vinyl. Another from that same album.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

Don’t tell anyone but ummmm I gots bunches of CSNY and “solo” materials too. Some real collectors stuff. Every once in a while I’ll pull out the old stuff to remind myself where I have been. Man was that some sophomoronic junk i bought into.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 5:53 pm

4 + 20 Years Ago I was 6 + 20 years old. Man I’m gettin’ old!

#54 My little sister, who was around 8 when that song came out, hated it. I remember teasing her relentlessly telling her it was her favorite song until she’d go get my Dad and he’d whup my butt.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

#56 - I still listen to those old albums. I got all the Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Flying Burrito Brothers, Byrds, all that west coast hippie stuff. Even got a few Quicksilver albums. There’s some good music in there.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Ahhhh yes Quicksilver Messenger Service.

Then—- I listened as a religion.

Now— Pure escapism

I have seen CSN more than any other band. The last concert was in the old Summit. just after Crosby got out of jail. Great show. I think what struck me the most was the middle age of the concert goers. That is when the epiphany hit me, WHAT THE “F” AM I DOING. Time to grow up.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

I don’t think I ever bought into the whole “movement”, I just enjoyed the music. Like I love Bob Marley’s music but I ain’t gonna become a Rastafarian.

Hard to believe these guys are still alive.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

Holy Crap #2
Ten Years After - I’d love to change to world
I used to believe this crap. Someone shoot me please.

I called this song the ultimate cop out song.

I’d love to change the world but I don’t know what to do, so I will leave it up to you

No wonder I stayed stoned.
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

Yes. Some of the CSNY stuff is SO hard to stomach now.
I’m sure I could sing every word at some point.
Senile dementia has its pluses I suppose.
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pm

59
Yes. I was there. A very early date with Ms. Shannon.
About 21-22 years ago I believe.

Amazingly, she still consented to marry me later anyway.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Shannon

I think the term sophomoronic may be an apt descritpion for much of their stuff, but there are some tunes that redeem them even today.

Hammie
NOW I enjoy the music. But in “them” days I bought that crap hook line and sinker. What a bunch of idealistic, unrealistic BS.

Sigh!!!!! now I just look the part.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:20 pm

You may know that Mrs. Squawk has married me twice. Twice I have married over my head. the woman feels sorry for me I swear. But she still marvels at the change in beliefs in me from then and now.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

Shannon

Ol Crosby has a rich tonal quality in his voice i have always enjoyed. He may be a whack but damn the boy can sing.
Shannon on July 11th, 2008 at 6:32 pm

SQK,
Whether Ms. Shannon would do it a second time is probably subject to dispute.
Aw, not really, she would.
But patience happens to be one of her virtues.
Lucky me.
20 anniversary this Thanksgiving.
I have been wanting to have Shake Russell come play at a private celebration.
It’s probably too late now.
Damn procrastinator.
/whipping myself with a logging chain, now.
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

Shannon

I saw Stephen (Jimmy Thudpucker) Stills solo a couple times. It si true the stories of him spending more time tuning his guitar than singing. I wanted to jump on stage (I was front row) and beat the crap out of him. Real pacifist ehhh?

If Mrs Squawk and I had stayed together and not killed each other we would have been married 28 years. As it is now we have been togeth 12 years this time and 3 the time before.

I still believe that women very seldom marry for looks or money alone. I really believe they feel sorry for us.
Katfish on July 11th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

4 - Way street is a GREAT live compilation as I recall (another version of 4+20 on it I think)
gtotracker on July 11th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

I have the Paladins on vinyl some where, need to upgrade to CD’s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlAPWDASjWQ
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

The Paladins tutored Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats
squawkbox on July 11th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

Hmmmm Katfish I got that somewhere on vinyl and CD. Nah I ain’t ate up with it. not at all.
hamous on July 11th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Here’s a Houstonian who also left us too early. He wasn’t well-known but an excellent songwriter.
Katfish on July 11th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

LEON RUSSELL
gtotracker on July 11th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

My favorite Leon song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0X0aqx3UHI&feature=related
american woman on July 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

#5 Big J…… thanks for the dedication……. I think!! hehe I haven’t gotten to listen to one of these tunes y’all posted as kiddo is home and it’s been a frantic day. I’ll try to catch up on the music this next week.

Hamous I love this idea of Friday music. Thanks.

We are off to go dancin….. Save a horse, ride a cowboy!
BigJolly on July 11th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

Hmm. Let’s see, how do I break this to you?

I know!

Be sure and watch that video before you go protest tomorrow!
noway on July 14th, 2008 at 9:20 am

Devil or Angel